Air conditioning controller

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning controller includes an air conditioning unit and an evaluating unit. The air conditioning unit determines operation of an air conditioner such that a temperature specified by a user setting matches a vehicle interior temperature. The evaluating unit compares the temperature specified by the user setting and an ideal temperature, and determines, for ecology evaluation, whether the user setting is environmentally friendly. The air conditioning controller compares actual operation of the air conditioner with ideal operation, or changes a threshold for the ecology evaluation or suspends the ecology evaluation in a specific state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for controlling an air conditioner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, efforts to reduce emission of greenhouse gases have been emphasized. For example, users are recommended to set a cooler to a temperature of 28° C. and a heater to 20° C., and to technically reduce exhaust gases emitted from vehicles. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H5-310028 discloses a conventional technology in which operation of an air conditioner is optimally controlled based on environment.

Apart from control of temperature in a vehicle, an automotive air conditioner is used to remove mist or frost (condensation) from the window. However, for example, in energy-saving mode, the air conditioner cannot effectively remove condensation from the window. To overcome the drawback, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. S62-227809 discloses a conventional technology in which, even if an automotive air conditioner is in energy saving mode, upon detecting mist or frost on the window, cooling operation is preferentially performed.

Recently, in addition to operation control of vehicles, there has been proposed technologies which provide information to users and, based on evaluation of users' operation, urge the users to behave in an environmentally-friendly manner. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-16443 discloses a conventional technology in which, based on user's efforts, it is evaluated whether the user has acted in an environmentally-friendly manner. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-125668 discloses a conventional technology in which, each time a user operates a temperature-setting button, a threshold of an energy-saving temperature range is displayed in a remote control display, and thus the user is urged to drive in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-220907 discloses another conventional technology in which a user is notified of specific electric charge and data related to electricity saving. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-166868 discloses still another conventional technology in which a vehicle user can easily recognize a pattern of change in fuel consumption when a temperature setting is changed.

However, upon evaluating operation input from a user, if a vehicle interior temperature setting (target vehicle interior temperature for air conditioning) specified by the user is evaluated by simply comparing it with an ideal temperature setting that is environmentally friendly, evaluation accuracy decreases.

Specifically, if the vehicle interior temperature is very high at the time of boarding the vehicle, regardless of a temperature setting specified by a user, a maximum level of cooling is required until the vehicle interior temperature is reduced to some extent. Thus, regardless of whether the user has specified 28° C., i.e., ideal temperature setting, or 18° C., the air conditioner operates in the same manner for a certain time period.

Thus, in a situation that results in the same operation of the air conditioner, it is not appropriate to evaluate user operation based only on the temperature setting.

As described above, an automotive air conditioner is also used to remove mist or frost (condensation) from the window. Because a swift removal is required to secure visibility for a driver and driving safety, the air conditioner needs to be used to the maximum capacity. Thus, evaluating user operation only from the operation of the air conditioner is not appropriate.

However, the actual operation state of the air conditioner and an operation purpose thereof are not considered in the conventional technologies. Due to this, user operation cannot be evaluated accurately. Low accuracy in evaluation reduces the reliability of an evaluation result, and thus the user cannot be urged to behave in an environmentally-friendly manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning controller including a determining unit that determines, based on a user setting, operation of an air conditioner; an acquiring unit that acquires an interior temperature of a target space for air conditioning control; and an evaluating unit that compares the user setting with an ideal setting or operation of the air conditioner based on the user setting with operation of the air conditioner based on the ideal setting to evaluate the operation of the air conditioner based on the user setting. Based on the interior temperature, the evaluating unit changes an evaluation threshold, or suspends evaluating the operation of the air conditioner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning controller including a calculating unit that calculates, based on an exterior temperature, an ideal target temperature; a determining unit that acquires a user setting that specifies a target temperature in a target space for air conditioning control, and determines, based on the target temperature, operation of an air conditioner; and an evaluating unit that compares operation of the air conditioner based on the target temperature with operation of the air conditioner based on the ideal target temperature to evaluate the user setting.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning controller including a determining unit that determines, based on a user setting, operation of an automotive air conditioner; an evaluating unit that evaluates any one of the user setting and operation of the automotive air conditioner based on the user setting; and a suspending unit that suspends the evaluating unit from performing evaluation for a predetermined time period in a specific state.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an air conditioning controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph for explaining a temperature setting and the operation of air conditioners;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a comparison of operations of the air conditioners;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the air conditioning controller for comparing the operations of the air conditioners;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process performed by the air conditioning controller when the vehicle interior temperature is outside a predetermined range;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another process performed by the air conditioning controller when the vehicle interior temperature is outside a predetermined range; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the air conditioning controller immediately after a user boards a vehicle or during defrosting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an automotive air conditioning controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning controller 10 is connected to an input unit 21, an external temperature sensor 22, an interior temperature sensor 23, an engine-water temperature sensor 24, a defroster 25, a compressor 31, a blower 32, an air-mixing actuator 33, a display unit 41, and a speaker 42.

The input unit 21 receives, from a user (a driver of a vehicle, etc.), input related to, for example, switching on/off air conditioning operation and a target vehicle interior temperature. The input unit 21 can include hardware buttons, switches, or a touch panel. The external temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature outside the vehicle, i.e., external or exterior temperature. The interior temperature sensor 23 detects the temperature inside the vehicle. The engine-water temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature of cooling water of an engine. The defroster 25 removes mist, frost, or condensation from windows (mainly rear windows) of the vehicle.

The compressor 31, the blower 32, and the air-mixing actuator 33 are automotive air conditioners. The air-mixing actuator 33 mixes, in a predetermined ratio, air cooled due to circulation of a refrigerant by the compressor 31 and air warmed due to engine cooling water. The blower 32 blows the mixed air inside the vehicle.

The display unit 41 and the speaker 42 provide data to the user in the form of display output and sound output, respectively. The display unit 41, the speaker 42, and the input unit 21 can also be shared with other automotive devices such as a navigation system and a car audio system.

The air conditioning controller 10 controls the automotive air conditioners such as the compressor 31, the blower 32, and the air-mixing actuator 33. The air conditioning controller 10 includes an air conditioning unit 11, an evaluating unit 12, a calculating unit 13, a determining unit 14, and a defrosting operation detector 15.

Based on user input and vehicle interior temperature, the air conditioning unit 11 determines the operation of the automotive air conditioners (the compressor 31, the blower 32, and the air-mixing actuator 33), and controls each automotive air conditioner based on the determination.

For example, if the user provides input to instruct to reduce a target vehicle interior temperature to 20° C., the air conditioning unit 11 controls the operation of the automotive air conditioners while monitoring a detection result of the interior temperature sensor 23, thus reducing the vehicle interior temperature to 20° C.

The evaluating unit 12 includes a comparing unit 12 a, a threshold changing unit 12 b, and an evaluation terminating unit 12 c, and evaluates whether air conditioning operation based on user input is environmentally friendly, i.e., performs ecology evaluation. Specifically, the evaluating unit 12 compares a vehicle interior temperature setting (target temperature inside the vehicle) specified by the user and an ideal temperature setting that is environmentally friendly. If the vehicle interior temperature set by the user is within a predetermined range from the ideal temperature, the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is appropriate and is environmentally friendly. If the vehicle interior temperature set by the user is outside the predetermined range, the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is not appropriate.

Based on the exterior temperature, the calculating unit 13 sets an ideal temperature. The calculating unit 13 can store ideal temperatures in association with exterior temperatures in the form of a map. For example, if the exterior temperature at the time of cooling is less than or equal to 38° C., corresponding ideal temperature can be 28° C., and if the external temperature exceeds 39° C., corresponding ideal temperature can be 25° C. The ideal temperature setting can also be derived from the external temperature in an arbitrary manner. Besides, apart from the temperature setting, the calculating unit 13 can also calculate an ideal operation of the automotive air conditioners.

Ecology evaluation of user operation is repeatedly performed at predetermined intervals, for example, during the operation of the automotive air conditioners. Evaluation results are summed up and output through the display unit 41 and the speaker 42, thus urging the user to specify an environmentally-friendly setting. While the result of the ecology evaluation is explained herein as being reported to the user, it can be used for any purpose in an arbitrary manner.

Upon evaluating operation input from the user, if a vehicle interior temperature setting specified by the user is evaluated by simply comparing it with an ideal temperature setting that is environmentally friendly, this may result in low evaluation accuracy.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if the vehicle interior temperature is very high (36° C. in FIG. 2) at the time of boarding the vehicle, regardless of a temperature setting specified by the user, a maximum level of cooling is required until the vehicle interior temperature is reduced to some extent.

That is, as indicated by vehicle interior temperature transitions A1 and A2 shown in FIG. 2, regardless of whether the user has specified 28° C., i.e., ideal temperature setting, or 18° C. at an air conditioning operation starting point (time t1), the air conditioners operate in the same manner for a certain time period (until time t1 in FIG. 2).

Due to this, after lapse of a predetermined time period from the start of the air conditioning operation (for example, time tn), a temperature setting specified by the user can be evaluated as to whether it allows the air conditioners to operate environmentally friendly. However, accurate evaluation is difficult immediately after the user boards the vehicle.

To enhance evaluation accuracy, in the air conditioning controller 10, the actual operation of the air conditioners is compared with the ideal operation, a threshold for ecology evaluation is changed in a specific state such as immediately after the user boards the vehicle, or ecology evaluation is not performed for a specific time period.

As shown in FIG. 3, the comparing unit 12 a compares the operation (blowing direction and blowing amount of the blower 32, air mixing of the air-mixing actuator 33, internal air circulation and external air introduction, etc.) of the automotive air conditioners calculated by the air conditioning unit 11 based on a temperature setting specified by the user, and the operation of the automotive air conditioners calculated by the calculating unit 13 based on an ideal temperature setting.

Thus, instead of directly comparing the set content from the user, the air conditioning unit 11 compares the actual air conditioning operation. Due to this, the set content from the user can be precisely evaluated.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the air conditioning controller 10 that is repeated during the operation of the automotive air conditioners.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, the calculating unit 13 calculates an ideal temperature setting from the external temperature (step S101). The air conditioning unit 11 calculates ideal air conditioning operation from the ideal temperature setting (step S102).

Next, the air conditioning unit 11 calculates actual air conditioning operation from a temperature setting specified by user input (step S103). The evaluating unit 12 compares the ideal air conditioning operation and the actual air conditioning operation performed based on the user input (step S104).

Based on the comparison, if a difference between the ideal air conditioning operation and the actual air conditioning operation is within an acceptable range (Yes at step S105), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is appropriate (step S106). If the difference is not within the acceptable range (No at step S105), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is not appropriate (step S107) and ends the process.

Explained next is a process in which the air conditioning controller 10 changes a threshold for ecology evaluation in a specific state such as immediately after the user boards the vehicle, or does not perform ecology evaluation for a specific period.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process performed by the air conditioning controller 10 when the vehicle interior temperature is outside a predetermined range. In this process, for example, when the vehicle interior temperature is extremely high in summer or low in winter, it is assumed that the user has just boarded the vehicle and the vehicle interior temperature is not yet sufficiently controlled. Thus, ecology evaluation is not performed until the vehicle interior temperature is within the predetermined range.

Specifically, first, the determining unit 14 acquires the vehicle interior temperature sensed by the interior temperature sensor 23 (step S201). If the vehicle interior temperature is not within a predetermined range (No at step S202), the determining unit 14 determines that the user has just boarded the vehicle. The evaluation terminating unit 12 c terminates or suspends the evaluation, and the process ends.

If the vehicle interior temperature is within the predetermined range (Yes at step S202), the calculating unit 13 calculates the ideal temperature setting from the external temperature (step S203). The evaluating unit 12 compares a temperature setting specified by user input and the ideal temperature setting calculated by the calculating unit 13 (step S204).

Based on the comparison, if a difference between the specified temperature setting and the ideal temperature setting is equal to or less than a threshold (Yes at step S205), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is appropriate (step S206). If the difference is above the threshold (No at step S205), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is not appropriate (step S207), and the process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another process performed by the air conditioning controller 10 when the vehicle interior temperature is outside a predetermined range. In this process, for example, when the vehicle interior temperature is extremely high in summer or low in winter, it is assumed that the user has just boarded the vehicle and the vehicle interior temperature is not yet sufficiently controlled. Thus, the evaluating unit 12 temporarily changes a threshold for ecology evaluation and performs the evaluation.

Specifically, first, the determining unit 14 acquires the vehicle interior temperature sensed by the interior temperature sensor 23 (step S301). If the vehicle interior temperature is not within a predetermined range (No at step S302), the determining unit 14 determines that the user has just boarded the vehicle. The threshold changing unit 12 b changes a threshold for ecology evaluation (step S303).

If the vehicle interior temperature is within the predetermined range (Yes at step S302), or after the threshold is changed (step S303), the calculating unit 13 calculates an ideal temperature setting from the external temperature (step S304). The evaluating unit 12 compares a temperature setting specified by user input and the ideal temperature setting calculated by the calculating unit 13 (step S305).

If a difference between the specified temperature setting and the ideal temperature setting is less than or equal to the threshold (Yes at step S306), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is appropriate (step S307). If the difference is above the threshold (No at step S306), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is not appropriate (step S308), and the process ends.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, based on the vehicle interior temperature, the determining unit 14 determines whether the user has just boarded the vehicle; however, this can be determined by any other methods. For example, whether the user has just boarded the vehicle can also be determined from a temperature of the cooling water of the engine. Further, by detecting a change in pressure to a seat surface or using image recognition, it can also be determined whether the user has just boarded the vehicle.

Apart from immediately after the user boards the vehicle, when the air conditioners operate to remove mist or frost (condensation) from the window, a swift removal is required to secure visibility for a driver and to secure driving safety. Thus, the air conditioners need to be used to the maximum capacity.

As during a predetermined time period after the user boards the vehicle, the air conditioning controller 10 also controls the evaluating unit 12 not to perform ecology evaluation while the defroster 25 is operating to remove mist or frost from the window. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by the air conditioning controller 10 while the defroster 25 is operating.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the determining unit 14 determines a boarding state of the user from the vehicle interior temperature and an engine water temperature, and if a predetermined time period has not elapsed after his/her boarding the vehicle (Yes at step S401), the evaluation terminating unit 12 c terminates the evaluation, and the process ends.

The defrosting operation detector 15 is monitoring the operation of the defroster 25. If the defroster 25 is operating (Yes at step S402), the evaluation terminating unit 12 c terminates the evaluation, and the process ends.

If the defroster 25 is not operating (No at step S402), the calculating unit 13 calculates an ideal temperature setting from the external temperature (step S403). The evaluating unit 12 compares a temperature setting specified by user input and the ideal temperature setting calculated by the calculating unit 13 (step S404).

If a difference between the specified temperature setting and the ideal temperature setting is less than or equal to a threshold (Yes at step S405), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is appropriate (step S406). If the difference is above the threshold (No at step S405), the evaluating unit 12 determines that the setting is not appropriate (step S407), and the process ends.

Thus, when comparing the actual operation of the air conditioners, in a specific state such as immediately after the user boards the vehicle or during defrosting, the air conditioning controller 10 changes a threshold for ecology evaluation or suspends ecology evaluation. Due to this, whether air conditioning operation by the user is environmentally friendly can be accurately determined. Thus, reliability of evaluation can be enhanced, and the user can behave in an environmentally-friendly manner.

In the above embodiment, the user sets a target vehicle interior temperature during cooling operation. However, the present invention is not to be thus limited, and can be applied with the same effect to heating operation. Further, the user can separately specify blowing direction and blowing amount, air mixing, switching between internal air circulation and external air introduction, and the like.

In the automotive air conditioners, which are powered by the engine, the air warmed by the cooling water of the engine is mixed with the air cooled by the refrigerant that is circulated by the compressor and the mixed air is blown inside the vehicle. Due to this, a degree of environmentally-friendly behavior of the user does not always match a degree of actual influence on the environment. Therefore, in the above embodiment, whether the user is behaving in an environmentally-friendly manner is qualitatively evaluated rather than measuring the actual extent of influence on the environment due to the operation by the user and the user is instructed about the course of action.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, taking actual operation state of air conditioners into account, it can be determined whether air conditioning operation by a user is environmentally friendly with high accuracy.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth. 

1. An air conditioning controller comprising: a determining unit that determines, based on a user setting, operation of an air conditioner; an acquiring unit that acquires an interior temperature of a target space for air conditioning control; and an evaluating unit that compares the user setting with an ideal setting or operation of the air conditioner based on the user setting with operation of the air conditioner based on the ideal setting to evaluate the operation of the air conditioner based on the user setting, wherein based on the interior temperature, the evaluating unit changes an evaluation threshold, or suspends evaluating the operation of the air conditioner.
 2. The air conditioning controller according to claim 1, wherein the user setting specifies a target temperature in the target space.
 3. An air conditioning controller comprising: a calculating unit that calculates, based on an exterior temperature, an ideal target temperature; a determining unit that acquires a user setting that specifies a target temperature in a target space for air conditioning control, and determines, based on the target temperature, operation of an air conditioner; and an evaluating unit that compares operation of the air conditioner based on the target temperature with operation of the air conditioner based on the ideal target temperature to evaluate the user setting.
 4. An air conditioning controller comprising: a determining unit that determines, based on a user setting, operation of an automotive air conditioner; an evaluating unit that evaluates any one of the user setting and operation of the automotive air conditioner based on the user setting; and a suspending unit that suspends the evaluating unit from performing evaluation for a predetermined time period in a specific state.
 5. The air conditioning controller according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time period is determined based on at least any one of an engine water temperature and a vehicle interior temperature.
 6. The air conditioning controller according to claim 4, wherein the specific state includes a state after a user boards a vehicle and a state during defrosting to remove window condensation. 